International Journal of Consumer Studies最新文献

Although ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) practices are reshaping consumer expectations, existing research lacks an integrated understanding of how ESG factors influence consumer behavior. This study systematically reviews 56 empirical articles using the Theory–Context–Method (TCM) and Antecedent–Decision–Outcome (ADO) frameworks. The TCM analysis reveals theoretical fragmentation, a concentration of studies in East Asia, and a reliance on cross-sectional surveys and structural equation modeling. The ADO analysis identifies 189 antecedents, 52 decision variables, and 66 outcomes, with ESG-specific antecedents—such as perceived ESG performance, transparency, and greenwashing perception—exerting stronger and more consistent effects than general consumer factors. Moreover, cognitive and affective responses and purchase intentions are key mediators linking antecedents to diverse outcomes, while strategic decisions and long-term behavioral outcomes remain underexplored. Based on these findings, the study proposes a targeted research agenda to strengthen theory-driven modeling, extend contextual coverage beyond Asia, diversify methods, and address overlooked decision mechanisms and systemic outcomes. The review advances cumulative knowledge and offers actionable directions for researchers and practitioners working to align ESG strategies with consumer behavior.

Physical retail stores, shopping malls, dining establishments, and so forth, are undergoing a rapid transformation with the emergence of in-store technologies. These brick-and-mortar stores are adopting advancements such as Smart Mirrors, Automatic Checkout, and AR-VR technologies, which are reshaping consumer experiences and the stores' performance. However, the literature on in-store technology lacks theoretical integration, despite academic interest having increased in the last two decades. The surge is also reflected in the recent call for papers by the ‘Journal of Business Research (JBR)’ on in-store technology. Therefore, the present moment and JBR special calls present an apt opportunity to consolidate existing literature and propose a framework for future study. To bridge these gaps, this study uses the SPAR-4 protocol and the TCCM approach to address the literature gap by establishing a robust conceptual boundary. It reviews 82 papers published between 2004 and February 2025. Based on TCCM analysis, the review identifies contextual elements such as new retail technology and fashion retail stores (Context); reveals antecedents, gaps, and outcome variables, such as perceived usefulness and loyalty (Characteristics); and recommends methodological approaches, such as mixed, experimental, and longitudinal methods (Methodology). Additionally, using “Corbin and Strauss' open, axial, and selective coding”, this study identifies key themes, such as Global Retail Strategy and Omnichannel Integration. Through an in-depth knowledge gap analysis, the study also proposes future research directions. This review makes a theoretical contribution by offering a TCCM-based synthesis of the IST literature and a conceptual framework for theory development. Practically, it provides retailers and technology developers critical insights into aligning their in-store innovations with evolving consumer needs and expectations.

In the era of sustainability in all aspects of business, fashion choices are not lagging. A motivated consumer focused on innovativeness holds the key to a sustainable future. This study evaluates the intricate dynamics of consumer innovativeness and its profound connection with preferences for sustainable fashion. Building upon the triple trickle theory, social cognition theory, and motivated consumer innovativeness (MCI) framework, this study investigates the relationships between distinct dimensions of innovativeness—functional, cognitive, and hedonic—and consumers' intentions to engage with sustainable fashion. Environmental concerns play the role of a mediator between the dimensions and purchase intentions. It applies established measurement scales using a sequential explanatory mixed method that integrates quantitative and qualitative phases. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to analyze the proposed relationships. The results reveal a noteworthy impact of hedonic innovativeness on consumers' intentions to embrace sustainable fashion, mainly when environmental concerns act as a mediator. Positive relationships are observed between functional and cognitive innovativeness and consumers' purchase intentions. The qualitative study furthered the quantitative research findings by emphasizing the need for greater transparency from brands and targeted efforts in educating and expanding sustainable options. The outcomes highlight the considerable potential for businesses to encourage consumer acceptance of sustainable fashion by highlighting these products' inherent functional, cognitive, and hedonic advantages. Furthermore, it underscores the pivotal role of industry practitioners in educating consumers about the environmental impact of embracing a slow fashion approach.

This study provides a comprehensive, theory-based systematic review to address research gaps and expand the applicability of Vroom's Expectancy Theory in contemporary marketing contexts. Despite its broad applicability, existing studies reveal significant gaps in theoretical development, contextual adaptation, and methodological rigor. Prior reviews lack a dedicated synthesis of Expectancy Theory's role in marketing and structured future research directions. Following the scientific procedures and rationales for systematic literature reviews (SPAR-4-SLR) protocol, this review systematically analyzes 40 peer-reviewed articles (1981–2024), identifying fragmented theoretical applications, inconsistencies in explanatory power, and an overreliance on cross-sectional designs. To address these gaps, a structured research agenda is proposed, comprising seven key recommendations: (1) theoretical integration, (2) theoretical extension (introducing feasibility as a fourth motivational dimension), (3) contextual expansion, (4) cross-cultural applications, (5) construct refinement, (6) methodological innovation, and (7) predictive modeling. By explicitly outlining these directions, this review provides a comprehensive framework for advancing Expectancy Theory's theoretical foundations and empirical robustness in contemporary marketing research.

This study explores the intersection of gender and consumer behaviour within the food sector through a comprehensive review of 257 documents from the Web of Science database spanning 1999 to 2023. It identifies trends, themes, and emerging interests, underscoring how gender-specific dietary preferences, perceptions of food safety, and sustainability reflect broader societal norms and attitudes. The results reveal a significant annual growth rate in publications, highlighting an escalating scholarly interest in the relationship between gender and consumer behaviour within the food sector. This increasing focus is reflected in the thematic evolution detected through keyword co-occurrence and co-citation analyses. The findings underscore the dynamic interplay between established and emerging research areas, revealing a landscape where inquiries into food consumption's socio-economic and cultural dimensions complement traditional dietary studies. Building on these insights, we recommend further exploration of these complex interactions through interdisciplinary research, integrating more nuanced gender analyses to inform targeted interventions and policymaking. This approach enriches our understanding and enhances the practical implications for addressing contemporary challenges in food consumption and consumer behaviour.

Ethnocentrism is a delusional belief that one's ethnic group is central and superior to others, often shaping individuals' perceptions of cultural and economic interactions. In consumer behavior, such ethnocentric attitudes manifest in reluctance or refusal to purchase foreign-made products, as domestic goods are perceived as more acceptable or morally preferable. Closely related, but distinct, consumer animosity involves negative emotions or hostility directed toward a specific country, company, or brand—typically due to historical, political, or economic grievances—which can also significantly influence purchasing decisions. In fact, a substantial body of literature has sought to explain ethnocentric consumption patterns through the lens of animosity toward foreign entities, leading to a marked expansion of research in this area. However, there is a noticeable lack of effort in reviewing this evolving field of research. To address this gap, this review employs the Theory-Context-Characteristics-Method (TCCM) framework to examine 164 articles on the relationship between ethnocentrism and consumer animosity published between 1987 and 2024. It covers the main theories (i.e., widely used theories explaining the focused phenomenon), contexts (i.e., industries, countries, religion, culture), characteristics (i.e., dependent variables, independent variables, control variables, mediators, and moderators), and methods (i.e., research approaches, data collection, analysis techniques) used. The review highlights a strong reliance on single-theory approaches, with 106 distinct theories identified across the studies. Among these, Social Identity Theory emerges as the most frequently applied framework. The review also shows a notable emphasis on contexts involving foreign products, domestic goods, and boycott-related industries, which receive more attention than other sectors. Additionally, the literature demonstrates considerable engagement with diverse religious and cultural contexts, encompassing a broad range of countries. Moreover, the characteristics identified in the reviewed studies were systematically classified, allowing for a clearer understanding of the conceptual landscape. This classification sheds light on the various constructs used to explain the relationship between ethnocentrism and consumer animosity. Finally, the review reveals a dominant preference for quantitative research approaches within the field. Altogether, this systematic analysis and synthesis of relevant articles provides an overview of this research field, establishes avenues for future research within the TCCM framework, and offers profound insights for practitioners.

Over the past 40 years, microfinance has been widely used to support self-employment, reduce poverty, and empower economically disadvantaged groups. As microfinance products target underserved individuals and households, this research critically explores their impact on consumers' economic behavior, access to services, and well-being. This paper systematically reviews the microfinance literature from 1982 to 2023, applying the ADO (antecedents, decisions, and outcomes) and TCM (theories, contexts, and methods) frameworks. This study employs bibliometric analysis as the primary method, complemented by systematic literature review (SLR) principles to ensure a structured and comprehensive examination. Findings synthesized through the ADO-TCM framework offer a comprehensive analysis of the trends and gaps in, and the impacts of microfinance studies. Key findings include the identification of three principal research areas: financial inclusion as a foundational antecedent, sustainability, and governance mechanisms driving institutional decisions, and poverty alleviation as a measurable outcome of microfinance programs. This dual approach offers a nuanced perspective on microfinance, examining the adaptability of financial solutions and the contextual limitations that affect their impact. The study contributes to the field by refining the ADO-TCM framework, bridging theoretical constructs and practical applications, and pinpointing critical research gaps, such as the need for gender-sensitive models and psychological studies of group lending. Our bibliometric analysis highlights trends, identifies research gaps, and organizes the literature into themes: financial inclusion, institutional sustainability, and poverty alleviation. Content analyses reveal core research streams and provide a conceptual framework for ADO, along with associated TCM. The review identifies significant issues, such as debt dependency, mixed sociocultural impacts, and sustainability concerns, offering a balanced assessment for scholars, policymakers, and practitioners. These insights advance our understanding of microfinance dynamics and propose actionable directions for future research. This comprehensive overview lays a foundation for future research, promoting an informed understanding of microfinance's potential and its limitations as a tool for financial inclusion and how these affect the consumption behavior, risk mitigation, and financial inclusion of low-income consumers.